State authorities investigating fatal National Guard shooting of Memphis man
News
Authorities say the guardsmen shot the man when he pointed a firearm at them.
Tennessee authorities are investigating a fatal shooting in Memphis by two National Guard troops that has raised new questions about the Trump administration’s deployment of troops to U.S. cities.
The guardsmen shot and killed 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson during a foot chase around 4 a.m. Sunday, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). The National Guard joined Memphis police following reports that a man was armed with a handgun and had fired shots in the area, TBI said.
Details
Memphis police said the guardsmen fired at the man after he turned his weapon toward them.
The TBI did not elaborate on how the incident escalated but said the bureau is investigating. The Tennessee National Guard did not respond to ABC News’ request for comment.
The shooting comes as President Donald Trump’s unprecedented decision to deploy troops to several American cities approaches the one-year mark. About 1,472 National Guardsmen remain in Memphis, and another 120 are deployed in New Orleans.
Analysis
The largest mission is in Washington, D.C., where roughly 5,000 Guard troops, most drawn from Republican-led states, continue to operate. All of those troops are deployed under so-called Title 32 orders, meaning their movement is controlled by their governor but paid for by the federal government.
Though it is unusual for military personnel to be involved in domestic law enforcement support, the troops have limited legal authority and largely perform security, logistics and other support roles rather than direct policing.
Local lawmakers told ABC News they were dismayed by the tragedy but hesitated to say more as the investigation unfolded.
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